Serbian President Posthumously Awards Hugo Chavez

Tomislav Nikolic has handed a posthumous award to the late Hugo Chavez for his contribution to strengthening relations between Serbia and Venezuela.

Gordana Andric

BIRN

Belgrade

Tomislav Nikolic on March 6 awarded Venezuela's late President, Hugo Chavez, with the Order of the Republic of Serbia.

Nikolic honoured Chavez for “developing and strengthening peaceful cooperation and friendly relations” between Serbia and Venezuela.

The Order of the Republic of Serbia is an award reserved solely for world statesmen of the highest rank - presidents, prime ministers and monarchs.

Chavez died after a two-year battle with cancer at the aged of 58 on March 6.

He spent 14 years in power and was known as a tough critic of the US. He is credited with pioneering a left-wing revival throughout Latin America - though he also left his country divided, with some accusing him of economic mismanagement and authoritarianism.

Following Chavez's announced death, Venezuela proclaimed seven days of national mourning.

“The world political scene has been left without a great statesman, whose tolerance, understanding of the historical moment, endurance with which he fought for a better future of his people, contribution to peace in the region and the world, became the characteristics after which the name of Hugo Chavez will in future be uttered with deep respect,” Nikolic wrote in a letter of condolence.

Oliver Antic, Nikolic’s advisor, will attend Chavez's funeral in Caracas on March 8, as the President's special envoy.